Tonight, after events like the tragic attack in Orlando, security is often higher than normal, and in the days and weeks following what happened at Pulse nightclub, police departments, club venue owners, and event planners have been calling their level of safety into question. How does a venue hold a Pride event that celebrates and maintains the spirit of acceptance, freedom, and positivity, all while not compromising the protection of their revelers? Safety and security consultant Bill Stanton stops by to explain not only how law enforcement and private security can step up their surveillance, but also how the community can help protect Pride Week participants as they celebrate. Then, in the immediate aftermath of the Orlando attack, the faithful of the Catholic Church were among the millions who shared their prayers for the victims and their families. Still, Father James Martin, a member of the Jesuit order, took exception to the fact that of all the prayers and condolences offered by the church’s hierarchy, the phrase LGBT was in most cases absent. Father Martin shares why he thinks the omission reflects the invisibility of that community in the Catholic Church, and how the Church can be more inclusive of its LGBT members. Finally, First Person is back! The web series is purposed with the mission to light-heartedly tell the stories of LGBT community members through candid, personal narratives, and comedian Mike Kelton is set to host its second season. Little more than a week ago, First Person went live on Facebook to react to the recent shootings in Orlando. Now, Mike Kelton stops by to talk about the web show’s second season, what’s next, and how it will fit into current LGBT events.

A simple walk down 8th Avenue would be more than enough proof that New York City deals with homelessness on a broad scale. Shelters overflow with men, women, and children on a daily basis, and it’s to the point where the city is relying on low-budget hotels to house the homeless along with regularly paying guests. WPIX-11’s Jay Dow and Mario Diaz started reporting on New York’s homelessness crisis more than one year ago, before the subject started making major headlines. This special Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America episode of MetroFocus goes into the new reality of homelessness across our region and takes takes us into the shelters that you might have stayed in during your last stay in the city.

Landmark case Roe v. Wade legalized abortion across the country in 1973. This case ruled that states were prohibited from making laws that would restrict a doctor’s right to decide whether or not their patient needs an abortion, barring late term pregnancies. Today, loopholes called “trap laws” have sprung up in half of the 50 states, which often times result in an abortion clinic’s closing. Filmmaker Dawn Porter visits these abortion clinics affected by trap laws in her new documentary Trapped and tells their stories as they struggle to continue providing their services. She explains the process of making this film and the changes she’s noticed since she started the project.

Tonight, whether you’re for it or against it, you can’t argue that firearms are a big part of America. But it’s also hard to ignore the fact that they are far too common and easy to obtain. That’s the dialogue that filmmaker Sheldon Candis is trying to start with his new documentary Who Will Survive America which follows his journey to legally purchase a gun. He talks to us about the film, its takeaway, and how he felt going through the gun-buying process. Then finally, according to statistics, 80 percent of teens and young adults have been kicked out of their homes because of their sexuality, and a staggering 60 percent of that demographic is African American. Former NFL player, Wade Davis has become an advocate for LGBT equality and acceptance after revealing he was gay after retiring from the football field. He takes us inside the struggle of being young, black, and gay, and explains how he’s helping these LGBT community members with his organization, the You Can Play Project.

Whether you’re for it or against it, you can’t argue that firearms are a big part of America. But it’s also hard to ignore the fact that they are far too common and easy to obtain. That’s the dialogue that filmmaker Sheldon Candis is trying to start with his new documentary Who Will Survive America which follows his journey to legally purchase a gun. He talks to us about the film, its takeaway, and how he felt going through the gun-buying process.

According to statistics, 80 percent of teens and young adults have been kicked out of their homes because of their sexuality, and a staggering 60 percent of that demographic is African American. Former NFL player, Wade Davis has become an advocate for LGBT equality and acceptance after revealing he was gay after retiring from the football field. He takes us inside the struggle of being young, black, and gay, and explains how he’s helping these LGBT community members with his organization, the You Can Play Project.

We’re kicking off this week by celebrating the LGBT community, as the city gears up in anticipation of the Pride Parade that is taking place this coming Sunday. But while this month is a celebration of the rights this community has obtained thus far, it is important to remember that there is still much to do. Michealangelo Signorile, radio talk show host and a leading voice for gay activism, is here to tell us why homophobia is still very much an issue that this community faces and what’s next in their fight. Next, last week in our nation’s capitol, both elected representatives and the media gathered to break bread at the 72nd Annual Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association Dinner. The night, normally intended for putting partisanship aside and enjoying each others company, usually involves a few laughs courtesy of a featured entertainer. But this year’s speaker, Daily Show Correspondent Hasan Minhaj, wasn’t there just for the comedy. We listen in to his sobering speech concerning gun control laws in the wake of the Orlando massacre. Finally, Pride Month all started on June 28th, 1969, when LGBT New Yorkers rioted following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the West Village that was a safe haven for those in the community. The raid, and subsequent riot, was the spark that ignited the modern gay rights movement, and is still celebrated each June. Decades later, the mass shooting at a gar night club in Orlando is a remind of how far the LGBT community still has to go in their quest for equality and to feel safe. The community will continue marching forward for this year’s Pride Month, with countless gatherings, rallies, fundraisers, parades, and parties planned. Having trouble deciding which celebrations to participate in and show your pride? Time Out New York editor Will Pulos is here to tell you about the top five blowouts that you don’t want to miss.

We’re kicking off this week by celebrating the LGBT community, as the city gears up in anticipation of the Pride Parade that is taking place this coming Sunday. But while this month is a celebration of the rights this community has obtained thus far, it is important to remember that there is still much to do. Michealangelo Signorile, radio talk show host and a leading voice for gay activism, is here to tell us why homophobia is still very much an issue that this community faces and what’s next in their fight.

Last week in our nation’s capitol, both elected representatives and the media gathered to break bread at the 72nd Annual Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association Dinner. The night, normally intended for putting partisanship aside and enjoying each others company, usually involves a few laughs courtesy of a featured entertainer. But this year’s speaker, Daily Show Correspondent Hasan Minhaj, wasn’t there just for the comedy. We listen in to his sobering speech concerning gun control laws in the wake of the Orlando massacre.

Funders

MetroFocus is made possible by James and Merryl Tisch, the Anderson Family Fund, Judy and Josh Weston, Bernard and Irene Schwartz, the Sylvia A. and Simon B. Poyta Programming Endowment to Fight Anti-Semitism, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, the Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, The Dorothy Schiff Endowment for News and Public Affairs Programming, Jody and John Arnhold, Rosalind P. Walter, Ellen and James S. Marcus, the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, Laura and Jim Ross.